Laws and Benefits for Veterans and Military Drivers in Illinois

Content

discount license plate
Veteran driver's license badge
Military badges
Waiver of military skills exam
Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012
Driver's License Renewal During Deployment
Driver's license and vehicle registration of non-resident military personnel

The State of Illinois offers a number of benefits and privileges to those Americans who have either served in a branch of the armed forces in the past or are currently serving in the military.

discount license plate

While Illinois does not offer veterans vehicle registration benefits, they do offer a discount on license plate fees to individuals aged 65 and over or who are fully disabled aged 16 and over, including military veterans. The discount is available through the State Benefit Access Program and allows senior citizens or citizens with disabilities to purchase a new license plate or renewal tag for $24. You must be an Illinois resident at the time of application and meet the following income requirements:

One Person Family: $27,610.
Family of two: $36,635.
Family of three: $45,657.

You must be completely and permanently disabled by one of the following factors:

Social Security Administration
Veteran Administration
Public service
Railway pension

Or have:

Class 2 Disability Card from the Secretary of State of Illinois
Completed application Doctor's report

You can apply for the Benefit Access Program here.

Veteran driver's license badge

Illinois veterans are eligible for a veteran title on a driver's license or state ID. In order to qualify, you must provide consent to disclosure along with DD 214 or NAF 13038 or a copy of your driver's license or ID to the local veteran officer:

Fax: (217) 782-4161

Mailing Address: Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, PO Box 19432 (to: DL Cert), 833 S. Spring St., Springfield, IL 62794-9432.

Once IDVA has validated your discharge document and mailed it to you, you can apply to SOS for a new, renewed, or upgraded license. There is no additional assignment fee if you are renewing or getting a new license/ID, however if you wish to upgrade prior to the renewal date there is a $5 license fee and $10 ID fee.

Military badges

Illinois offers a wide selection of outstanding military license plates dedicated to various branches of the military, service medals, specific campaigns and individual battles. Eligibility for each of these plates requires certain criteria to be met, including proof of current or past military service (honorable discharge), proof of service in a specific battle, discharge papers, or Department of Veterans Affairs records of award received.

Standard registration fees apply to most military plates, however there are certain plates that are free for already named and renewal vehicles, such as Ex-Prisoner of War and Congressional Medal of Honor. You can find the full list of plates here. Click on each label individually to determine if it qualifies for reduced fees for the Benefit Access Program.

Waiver of military skills exam

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has developed a provision allowing SDLAs (State Driver's License Agencies) to allow veterans and military personnel with commercial driving experience in the course of their service to skip the CDL skills test. To qualify for this deferral, you must apply within 12 months of being discharged from a military position that required you to drive a commercial vehicle. In addition, you must have two years of such experience and meet certain other criteria, such as the absence of specific types of motor vehicle offenses.

You can find the federal government's standard waiver form here. Some states have their own form, so check with your local driver's license agency for information. You must still take the written CDL test.

Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012

This law gives states the power to issue a CDL to active duty military personnel, including members of the Reserve, the National Guard, the Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Auxiliaries, even if Illinois is not their home state, as long as their temporary or permanent base is in the state.

Driver's License Renewal During Deployment

Illinois offers driver license expiration deferrals for up to 120 days after being fired or reassigned for those who were out of state at the time of expiration, as well as their spouses and children. You can obtain a deferment certificate by sending a copy of your driver's license and the front and back of your military ID to:

Secretary of State

Department of Licensing and Medical Examination

2701 S. Dirksen Boulevard

Springfield, IL 62723

Military personnel must follow standard vehicle registration procedures. You may be eligible for an online renewal - here are instructions for doing so.